ARTICLE: Faith, Engagement, and Peacebuilding: 30 Years of Learning and Commitment Rooted in Spirituality

SIPAZ Activities (Mid-May to Mid-August 2026)

17/09/2026

INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE AND ACCOMPANIMENT

We attended the quarterly assembly of the Believing People of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas.

We attended the “Second Forum on Historical Memory: Minerva, the Beating Heart of the Mountain” in Acteal at the House of Memory and Hope (headquarters of the Las Abejas Civil Society Organization), marking the 30th anniversary of the forced disappearance of Minerva Guadalupe Pérez Torres, Encarnación, and Rebeca Pérez Pérez in the Northern Zone of Chiapas.
We joined a pilgrimage organized by the parish of Chalchihuitán during the patron saint festival in honor of Saint Paul.
We joined an event organized by the “Madres Buscadoras de Chiapas” (searching mothers of Chiapas) collective in Tuxtla Gutiérrez to mark the start of the World Cup.

We were present at the demonstration organized by the Movement in Defense of Life and Territory (MODEVITE) in San Cristóbal de las Casas before departing to Mexico City to participate in a forum to be held at the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN)—a space for dialogue and reflection on the challenges, resistance, and proposals from the peoples in defense of life, territories, and justice.
We participated in a meeting with representatives from the pastoral zones that are part of the Follow-up Commission of the Congress of Mother Earth, a component of the Social Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
We attended the “War Against Humanity (Populations and Nature Under Siege)” Encounter, organized by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.

We attended the quarterly assembly of the Believing People of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
We attended part of the “Art Encounter and Encounter of Rebellion and Resistance,” organized by the EZLN, which took place at the Caracol in Morelia.
We attended the press conference marking the start of the solidarity tour in response to the situation facing human rights defenders, held on the Coast and in Tapachula, and organized by the Observatory on Attacks against Journalists and Human Rights and Territorial Defenders in Chiapas (“El Obse”) and Espacio OSC.

In May, we met with representatives from the French Embassy in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
In June, we met with representatives from the Swiss Embassy in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
In July, we met with representatives from the Italian Embassy in San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Together with other civil society organizations, we facilitated a workshop on various aspects of positive conflict transformation for representatives of the Las Margaritas parish.

We shared an analysis with pastoral outreach and coordination staff from the parishes in the Southern Zone of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Teopisca.
We facilitated a discussion with members of the organizations that make up the Observatory on Attacks against Journalists and Human Rights and Territorial Defenders in Chiapas (“El Obse”).
We shared an analysis with the daughters of artisan women who participate in the “Mujeres de Maíz” (women of corn) collective, hailing from various municipalities in Los Altos and the Northern Jungle.

We participated with a presentation at the forum organized for the 30th anniversary of the Commission for Community Unity and Reconciliation (“CORECO A.C.”).
In coordination with “El Obse,” we conducted a security workshop with organizations from the Lacandon Jungle, which took place in Ocosingo.
We shared an analysis with artisan women who are part of the “Mujeres de Maíz” collective, hailing from various municipalities in Los Altos and the Northern Jungle.
We contributed a complementary analysis during the “Ecumenical Encounter on Mayan Indigenous Theology,” held in Teapa, Tabasco, whose overall objective was “to listen to the cries of Mother Earth and of women and, drawing on the wisdom of our peoples, to draw strength to care for and defend life, recognizing and honoring women’s contributions to community life.”
We participated in a presentation at the event “Lessons Learned and Achievements in Peacebuilding in Chiapas—Serapaz, CORECO, SIPAZ—30 Years Walking with the Peoples.”
Together with other civil society organizations, we facilitated a workshop on various aspects of positive conflict transformation for representatives of the Las Margaritas parish.
Together with Melel Xojobal, we facilitated a discussion as part of an assembly of the Central Zone of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas.

At least once a month, we attend plenary and committee meetings of the Coordination for Peace in Chiapas, “Slamalil Kinal.” In May, we co-organized and co-facilitated a gathering of civil society organizations and diocesan bodies held in San Cristóbal de las Casas. We also organized several internal and public events featuring Uruguayan author Raúl Zibechi, including the presentation of his new book “Esquivar la guerra; construir mundos nuevos” (Avoiding War; Building New Worlds).
Every two weeks, we attend operational meetings of the People’s Movement for Peace and Justice (MPPJ).
We held meetings with organizations collaborating on the project of the Observatory on Attacks against Journalists and Human Rights and Territorial Defenders in Chiapas (“El Obse”).
As members of the Platform for Peacebuilding in Mexico, we participated in monthly meetings for analysis and reflection based on examples of best practices.